Alitalia, the loss-making Italian flag carrier, has sold prized take-off and landing slots at London's Heathrow airport - some at record prices - as it seeks to bolster its finances ahead of any rescue takeover.

The airline has sold nearly a quarter of its Heathrow slots in three deals for €92m, and is understood to have received a record £30m (€41m) for one pair of slots, more than double the price two years ago.